Boston cigarette lawsuit heads to jury

Boston cigarette lawsuit heads to jury

By Associated Press  |   Sunday, December 5, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

A lawsuit by a Massachusetts man who accuses Lorillard Tobacco Co. of trying to entice black children to smoke is expected to go to the jury this week.

The son of a Boston woman who died of lung cancer sued the maker of Newport cigarettes, claiming the company lured his mother to begin smoking at age 13 by giving away free samples at the Boston housing project where she lived.

Lawyers for North Carolina-based Lorillard say there is no evidence the company gave away cigarettes to children at the housing project.

The company’s lawyer argued at the trial that it was Marie Evans’ choice to start smoking and to continue smoking for 40 years despite warnings from her doctors.

The trial began last month. Closing arguments are scheduled Monday in Suffolk Superior Court.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1301001